segunda-feira, 1 de junho de 2009

Wearing No.1, he is on the left side of the hooker in the front row of the scrum. It is his job to help the hooker by keeping the tunnel clear at put in, and control and channel the power of the scrum. The Prop position requires great physical strength.

Hooker

The Hooker wears the No.2 shirt and plays between the two props in the front row. His primary jobs are to heel or “hook” the ball cleanly for his side in the scrum, and also to throw in the ball accurately to his team at lineouts.

Tighthead Prop

Wearing the No.3 shirt, and on the right of the hooker in the front row, his job is similar to that of the loosehead prop. He also helps to control the push of the scrum, and works to make sure an even push is delivered.

Second Row or Lock Forwards

At numbers 4 and 5, the second row are the engine-room of the scrum. They generally tend to be tall, and their other role is to win the ball at lineouts.They need good timing and handling skills.

Flankers

At numbers 6 and 7, flankers are the terriers of the pack. The should be first to any breakdown to retrieve the ball, and act as links or support to the backs. They should be fast, good tacklers and have good handling skills.

Number 8

The No.8 forward, positioned at the rear of the scrum directs the scrum and acts as a link between the forwards and the scrum-half. He is also used as a jumper in the lineouts, and his position requires that he has good experience and knowledge of the game.

Scrum-Half

The scrum-half, No.9, is usually a very versatile player and plays a pivotal role in the performance of the team. He is a vital link between the forwards and the backs, and is often required to be a playmaker.His passing must be quick and accurate, whether from on the ground or in the air and should be quick on his feet and an excellent tackler.

Fly Half

If the scrum-half is the team’s main mover, the fly-half is the team’s playmaker. At No.10, he must have a good understanding with his scrum-half and vision to read the game and make instant decisions about play to keep the opposition under the maximum amount of pressure and uncertainty.The fly-half needs to be a good ball carrier and often is the team’s goal-kicker.

Inside and Outside Centers

At numbers 12 and 13, the centres are involved for at least 90% of the game. For an attack to be smooth-flowing and fast, a centre will be making second-by-second decisions based on the responses of the opposition back row. A center needs to be good at running, passing, receiving and tackling under pressure.

Wingers

At numbers 11 and 14, the wingers have a role similar to the two centres. However the wingers must possess the greatest pace of all the players in the side.They must excel at running with the ball and be able to side-step off both feet, as well as taking and giving passing at pace.Also they must have good defensive skills when the opposition have the ball.

Fullback

At No.15, the full-back is primarily the last line of defence. Subsequently the full-back must be fast, a good tackler and be able to collect the ball safely in the face of oncoming opposition. Added to this the full-back should be able to ease pressure by kicking accurately to touch.He or the fly-half is traditionally the team’s goal-kicker, so the ability to convert a try from an adjoining county is also useful.